Annual General Meeting
Our Benevolent Fund supports optometrists with various needs, including professional fees, re-training, financial assistance, and more. Learn about our long-term beneficiaries and how we provide support to those in need.
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Presentation Transcript
Annual General Meeting The Benevolent Fund of the College of Optometrists & Association of Optometrists Year ending 30thSeptember 2019
Report ending September 2019 Sue Wilford Chair of Trustees
Benevolent Fund Ten Trustees 5 nominated by College 5 by AOP Quarterly Meetings
Our aims include.... Helping optometrists stay within the profession Assisting with professional fees Assisting with re-training or initial qualification Assisting with Return to Work programs Helping people recover their financial independence Referring for budgeting and benefits advice from CA Manchester Signposting to other organisations that offer specific advice Maintaining quality of life Providing funding for therapeutic equipment or treatment Providing extra funding for children affected by death of parent so they can still attend scouts and have swimming lessons. We sometimes contribute to school uniform costs. Helping with essential furnishings and kitchen appliances
Long term beneficiaries 2018 -19 We review every 3/12 with the aim of enabling the beneficiary to manage without our long term help. The exceptions are reviewed annually and include people with life-long illnesses or disability. Three beneficiaries who receive long term grants continued to receive assistance in the form of monthly standing orders:- The first of the long term beneficiaries was visited at home by a Trustee to carry out a review this year. Grants from the Fund enable him to pursue a fitness regime that assists him with his disability and generally improve his quality of life. The second long term beneficiary who is no longer able to practice optometry due to a degenerative condition has re-trained and graduated as a psychologist and should become financially independent within the next few months. The third long term beneficiary will receive further advice from Citizens Advice Manchester before being reviewed and then be paid by cheque each month rather than standing order.
How we helped Three cases were referred to Citizens Advice Manchester for financial advice. In two of the three cases, CA Manchester helped the clients maximise their entitlement to state benefits and claim more. The Fund paid for physiotherapy for one beneficiary. The Fund contributed to the cost of dialysis equipment for a beneficiary with a long term illness. The BenFund paid the rent arrears and associated legal costs for a beneficiary who was suddenly widowed, with three children of primary school age. The Fund paid for three further months rent and then six monthly instalments to meet the cost of extra- curricular activities for the children.
How we helped cont... The Fund paid part of the deposit on a rented property for one beneficiary. A widower of an optometrist, with three children, was helped with rent and the furnishing of a new home while he studied for an MA to further his career prospects. As he had been receiving assistance since November 2017, he was visited by two Trustees in February 2019 for a re-assessment of his financial situation.
Keeping people in the optometric profession We paid AOP fees for 3 beneficiaries We paid GOC fees for 1 beneficiary who still practices The College kindly waives its annual fees for several of our current and past beneficiaries
Acknowledging and working with others When there are other people (e.g. close friends or relatives) involved in the welfare of a beneficiary, we may work with them to bring about the best outcomes This is especially helpful if the beneficiary has difficulty with communication We always ask the beneficiary for their permission to liaise with a third party Example: a close colleague who has been very supportive of an optometrist who had a severe stroke. He keeps in touch with us and we have been able to work with him in order to arrange day care and new items needed for the beneficiary s comfort and safety at home.
Who can apply for help? Members and former members of the College, AOP, and their dependents Widows and widowers of optometrists Pre-reg optometrists
Finance Secure financial position Grants paid during the year 57k ( 59k in 2018) Subscription based donations from College members, AOP members and donations from individuals 52k ( 61k in 2018) Investment income - net 43k ( 47k in 2018) Investment Manager s fees 14k ( 12k in 2018) Administrative, sundry & governance costs 14k ( 19k in 2018) Funds 1,584k as at 30thSeptember 2019 ( 1,554k in 2017)
Report and Financial Statement Available on website: www.opticalbenfund.com
Our objectives for 2019-2020 Continue to raise awareness through various media so people who need help can find it Maintain contact with our beneficiaries and continue to visit them regularly Encourage Critical Illness cover especially for locums who are the hardest hit when illness strikes Continue networking with other effective allied medical charities such as Pharmacy Support Optimise our membership of the Association of Charitable Organisations (ACO) so we keep abreast of changes in the charity sector and achieve best practice.
What our Trustees do Attend at least 4 Board meetings per year. These were all held in London this reporting year. Attend to email communications Visit beneficiaries and compile reports 6 visits during this year, all of which resulted in the applicants receiving grants Provide advice and assist Administrator Undergo training
Trustee attendance record 6 5 4 3 Board Meetings Series2 AGM Series1 2 1 0 S Wilford R Cuthbert V Bush R H Leonard A McClune F Marchetti D Ehrlich K Dattani L Gerson Broughton
Trustees retiring Mr Henry Leonard is retiring from the Board. Thanks for his commitment over the last three years Thanks for his expert advice and assistance, especially on regulatory and data protection matters Every good wish for the future Mrs Lisa Gerson is also retiring. Thanks for devoting her time during her term of office Thanks for keeping us appraised of the optical scene in Wales Our good wishes for the future
New Trustee appointed Mrs Aishah Fazlanie will join the Board as from today Clinical Advisor AOP Specialist Optometrist at Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital WOPEC Examiner Volunteer for AOP Peer Support Line Resident Optometrist with Boots Opticians
How can you help? Raise awareness of the Fund Importance of local Associations Identify new beneficiaries Website www.opticalbenfund.com Remember us when you re in contact with your LOC We are grateful for those who make additional donations Legacies important source of donated funds
Thanks to Trustees of the Fund People who have accompanied Trustees on visits Members of the profession for donations Lynne Brown our Administrative Secretary
